Prep warning
Soy sauce is very high in salt, which babies' kidneys cannot handle well, so keep it out of baby food and use little to no added salt. Soy is a top-9 allergen, and most regular soy sauce also contains wheat, another top-9 allergen, so check the label if either is new.
How to serve by age
6-9 months
This is general information, not a recommendation to serve it. Soy sauce is very high in salt, and babies need little to no added salt, so it is best kept out of baby food at this age. If a family dish already contains it, prepare baby's portion before adding any soy sauce. Note that soy is a top-9 allergen and most regular soy sauce also contains wheat, another top-9 allergen.
A liquid condiment, not a food to cut. Best left out of baby's portion; if used in a family dish, set baby's share aside first.
9-12 months
Soy sauce stays very salty, so continue keeping it out of baby's food. When cooking for the whole family, season baby's portion separately and add soy sauce only to the adult share. If you want a savory note, a splash of a low-sodium soy sauce in the family pot is gentler, but baby still does best with little to no added salt.
A liquid condiment, not a food to cut. Keep it out of baby's portion; season the family dish after setting baby's share aside.
12-18 months
Toddlers still need their salt kept low, and soy sauce is one of the saltiest seasonings, so use it sparingly if at all. A small amount of a low-sodium version stirred into a shared dish is the gentler choice. Soy and the wheat in most soy sauces are top-9 allergens, so make sure both have already been introduced and tolerated.
A liquid condiment, not a food to cut. Use sparingly if at all, ideally a low-sodium version in small amounts.
Allergen information
Soy is a common allergen. Read Soy guidance
Common questions
When can my baby eat Soy sauce?
Most babies can try Soy sauce from around 6 months, once they show signs of readiness. Check the prep and cut-size notes above before you start.
General informational content, not medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician about introducing new foods, especially if your baby has any medical conditions or family history of allergies.
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